Skip to main content
The Surah Aal-e-Imran is named after Ale-Imran ‘the family of Imran’ – Imran is the father of Maryam(Mary) aleha salaam.
The key topics and themes of this Surah include Oneness of Allah, Allah’s Power over everything, remembering with gratitude Allah’s favours, Prophethood, the Christian doctrines, Zakat, charity, usury, hajj, unity, fighting in the cause of Allah, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong, and reminders of death and day of judgment.
Allah states that the only Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will). Yusuf Ali elaborates “Islam is not a sect or an ethnic religion. In its view all Religion is one, for the Truth is one. It was the religion preached by all the earlier prophets. It was the truth taught by all the inspired Books. In essence it amounts to a consciousness of the Will and Plan of Allah and a joyful submission to that Will and Plan. If anyone wants a religion other than that, he is false to his own nature, as he is false to Allah's Will and Plan. Such a one cannot expect guidance, for he has deliberately renounced guidance”.
Allah, the One, the Unique, the Uncreated, Creator of everything that exists, rejects the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus or divinity of any being. Allah states in ayah 79 “ it is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the prophetic office, should say to people: "Be you my worshippers rather than Allah's”: on the contrary (He would say) "Be you worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all: For you have taught the Book and you have studied it earnestly."
“Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah” 3:45
Yusuf Ali points out "A Word from Allah", not "the Word of Allah", the epithet that mystical Christianity uses for Isa (Jesus), alehe salaam who was created by a miracle, by Allah's word "Be", and he was.
“(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me” 3:50.
Allah also says He gives power and honour to whom He pleases, and He strips off power and debases whom He pleases. The Sura mentions that with the miraculous help of Allah, a small and ill-equipped Muslim force who had firm faith and zeal defeated the large and well-equipped force of the enemy. An ayah in this Surah, like many other ayats in the Quran reminds the smallness and insignificance of this world and stresses the paramount importance of a good return to Allah in the Next World.
The Surah points out that the ultimate goal/success of life is attained by obeying the Prophets and now the final Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. “If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful." 3:31.
Tafsir Compilations:
Tafsir By Ayat: